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drwilson Inner circle Bar Harbor, ME 2191 Posts |
I have been thinking about the four elements (Earth, Fire, Air and Water), and how they relate to magic.
I think that this may be a useful way to add texture and balance to magical performances. Each of the elements has qualities associated with it, beyond the literal incorporation of that element into effects. In addition, there are combinations of two elements that suggest effects. It is fairly easy to draw effects from the well-known stock of magic and classify them, but this framework may be more useful in coming up with new effects, acting as a stimulus to the imagination. The element of air suggests not only levitation, but also mental, psychic and spirit effects. The element of fire suggests fire magic of all kinds. The element of earth suggests manipulation of sand, drawing strength from the ground, perhaps even escapes, with their theme of confinement (like bodily death and burial). The element of water suggests all manner of appearances, disappearances, and transformations of liquids. It may also suggest penetrations, as solid objects are temporarily infused with the elemental properties of water. When I thought to expand my mnemonics show, I thought that the effects were all of the air, since they are entirely mental. I finally arrived at the joining of earth and water to make glass, and added glasswalking. It seems a very odd pairing at first, but starting with the need to add elemental balance to my show, I was forced to think of a way to make this work. Why not a carnival sideshow framework, from my memory of these things? This tied together my medicine show for memory elixir with other traveling shows from a bygone era, and draws on my real memories. I have thought of another presentation that I have not yet performed, drawing on earth and fire. Fire acts upon earth to make metal. What if the fire were invisible, magic fire, the energy of the performer? Imagine that the performer shows an empty metal bowl and a drawstring bag of sand. He pours the sand into the bowl in a slow stream, letting it cascade over his bare hand. He then reaches into the sand of the bowl and draws forth a half dollar. Giving the half dollar to a child, he says, "Spend it quickly, before it turns to sand again." No miser's dream with a shower of unlimited wealth here. Just the amount of magic that is needed to do a small thing, with the implication that so much more could be done if the need were greater. Let me know if this stimulates any of you to develop new presentations. Yours, Paul http://www.memoryelixir.com |
Hideo Kato Inner circle Tokyo 5649 Posts |
Dr. Sawa had the very same concept as you and categorized every material in dictionary in those elements. Then he listed every possible effect with the listed materials so he could create so many unique effects.
I hope this creating system works well for you. Hideo Kato |
cmwalden Regular user Cedar Park, TX 150 Posts |
While it may not fit your personal belief system, it is interesting to look at some historical magic texts to see how they look at the four elements. According to traditions, the four elements are more than just their physical properties. They also have relationships to planets, compass points, emotions, and all kinds of other things.
Knowing these relationships can greatly enhance your writing and let you create things that are "magically sound." Whether you choose to have a mystical approach is up to you. I don't think it's necessary. However, using that information as a subtext adds depth and consistancy which will be appreciated by those who know, and feel right to those who don't.
"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy."
- William Shakespeare |
Hideo Kato Inner circle Tokyo 5649 Posts |
Sylvester The Jester has a similar concept in creating magic. He advises you to watch and or listen to mystifying phenomena in nature. Water flows, wind blows, thunder sparks, mirages appear and disappear, and so on.
It is far beyond my ability to explain Sylvester's advice in English. I only recommend you to read his lecture notes on creativity if you can obtain them. Like Dr.Sawa, I think Sylvester is a genius who creates many unique tricks. Hideo Kato |
alexhui Inner circle Hong Kong 1956 Posts |
The four elements have their unique properties which can represent many things with your imagination. Because I am still a student and played videos game (RPG) in the past, I can tell that you can discover that these four elements can stand for all sorts of thing in the world in these kinds of games. You can combine them to give birth to new characteristics. For instance, if you do torn and restore card, you can say, "You know, water has the special power to cure. It effects cards as well!" Then you can drop some water on the card and restore it. That's only an example. Or fire can bend the spoon. Wind can remove a pip on the card. It only depends on your imagination!!
If you don't play games and would like to have some more ideas on these four elements, you can PM me or post your questions here. Alex
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Jonathan Townsend Eternal Order Ossining, NY 27297 Posts |
Getting a background in Wicca may be helpful to some. That would offer some foundation for using candles, wands, knives, cups, cards, charms, sympathetic magic etc. Going all the way to suggest using the four elements and a fifth, mind to make a pentagram will probably frighten away the kids.
This might not be the right time to bring religious issues to one's performances.
...to all the coins I've dropped here
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